On Offering

We have all been in churches where offering is preached.  This is no news to anyone these days.  Maybe you haven't been in a church where it is preached but you have heard of people being encouraged to sow.

I want to make this clear from the get go that I am not at all against it and that I myself sow and will also encourage you to do so, the fact of the matter is we need to check our attitude.

Countless times I sat in meetings where it has been preached that if I am in need of finances or I want to have my financial breakthrough, I need to sow into the Kingdom.  For what you sow you will reap.  Is this the right doctrine being preached?  The scripture in Galatians 6:7 states clearly:

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

But it also goes on in verse 8:

"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." 

This is clearly in the context of your actions and where your time is spent.  It did not have anything to do with finances.  Now the important thing however is that giving toward the work of God is still very needed.

Firstly; Sowing is an act of worship!  Your current finances was given to you.  You might say that you worked for it... but then who was responsible for you having a job?  Is it not God?  As Christians we believe in offering up ourselves to God as a living and holy sacrifice as is required of us according to  Romans 12:1.  By trusting God with your finances you are also trusting God with your life... the very source we use to buy food and shelter with.  So offering and sowing financially to a church or ministry is an act of worship and a vital part of what we confess as Christians.  This cannot be ignored!

Secondly: Finances is a part of life.  Where does the finances come from to organize outreaches?  Where is the money sourced from to keep the churches running?  Paying the staff, electrical and water bills?  How is ministry kept up and running?  Through the giving of the church members.  Paul writes to the churches he visits in the Mediterranean area concerning financial support towards the ministers visiting them.  By upholding and supporting the church and thereby the work of God, we have a part of what God is doing.  We can thus be the hands of God on earth.

In conclusion I want to make this clear... sowing financially in order to gain financially is vanity.  We live by grace and not by works.  No one ever had to buy their parents food and sow into their life financially before they got fed themselves.  Same with God.  We are His children, He cares for us no matter what and, it is all by grace... we cannot do anything to gain anything.  However, sowing is needed because not only is it an important act of worship but it is also supporting the work of God and enabling the church to reach out and do it's job.

So let's give with a joyous heart, as an act of worship.  Let's support ministries around us.  And let's trust in God to supply all our needs and more since He is our Heavenly Father.  Matthew 6 sums up this point:

Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."